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The purpose of today's conference is to inform our fellow citizens about the next steps in relation to the implementation of the Sponsorship Scheme for Existing Apartment Buildings in Government Housing Estates for Displaced Persons "buildingZO".
As you know, in this first phase we are focusing on the 43 apartment buildings whose repair is financially unviable. In order to confirm the findings of the structural adequacy study, teams consisting of Civil Engineers from the Department of Urban Planning and Zoning, ETEK and the affected municipalities conducted an autopsy of the 43 blocks of flats in the past few days.
From the autopsy of the experts, it was found that 20 of the 43 apartment buildings are in immediate danger and must be evacuated as soon as possible, with actions by the Municipal Councils, which according to the law are the competent authorities to ratify the recommendation and issue an Order for evacuation. The 20 blocks of flats are as follows. [*]In the Municipality of Strovolos, the apartment buildings at 2 Orestou Street, 4 Orestou Street, 14 Dodekanissou Street, 16 Dodekanissou Street, 18 Dodekanissou Street, 19 Epaminondas Street and 21 Epaminondas Street in the Settlement of Strovolos III, and at 155 Kantaras Avenue and 163 Kantaras Avenue in the Settlement of Kokkinis. [*]In the Municipality of Aglantzia, the apartment buildings at 8 Voufavento Street and 6 Karpasia Square in the Settlement of Platy. [*]In the Community of Deuteras, the blocks of flats at 49 Chrysospiliotissa Street and 50 Chrysospiliotissa Street in the settlement of Chrysospiliotissa. [*]In the Municipality of Kato Polemidia, the blocks of flats at Number 4 and Number 6 on 95th Street in the Settlement of Agios Spyridon.
A team of the Ministry of Interior is starting site visits for detailed information of the residents, in cooperation with the Local Authorities, which have already been informed.
I would like to make it clear that the remaining 23 blocks of flats are also economically unviable and therefore the process of their evacuation will be promoted at a later stage. Residents in the 23 blocks of flats can remain in their flats, however they are encouraged to register their interest in participating in the Project now by receiving a lump sum sponsorship and paying a contribution based on the Beneficiary Category. In addition, if they so wish, they will be able to vacate and surrender their apartment to the Department of Planning and Zoning and become eligible for the rent subsidy as well.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are aware that for the implementation of this grandiose Plan and until the new apartment buildings are built, there will be inconvenience for the citizens living in these apartments who will have to leave them and find temporary accommodation in the private sector or with their relatives. The Ministry of Interior is developing partnerships with private entities and NGOs to ensure any logistical assistance to mitigate the suffering of our fellow citizens. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks to all the private organizations that from the very first moment have assisted in this huge undertaking, thus creating a social network of support for the "BuildingZO" project, which I am sure will continue to grow with the participation of more partners. More will be presented in the coming days.
Indicatively, we are in the process of arranging storage space for the personal belongings of those who will participate in the Project, as well as providing assistance for the moving process, especially for elderly people, people with disabilities, bedridden people, etc.
Friends,
The "BuildingZO" Project is a well thought-out and feasible Project that will provide a definitive solution to this major issue. Its utilization by the beneficiaries is certainly in their own and their children's interest, as they will get a new apartment of great value in areas that are experiencing gradual development and in which they will live safely for decades to come. I want to assure you once again that the Government's priority is the safety of the residents of the blocks of flats and, of course, their dignified living.
Our task as a Government is to resolve the long-standing issues and to ensure the right to decent and safe housing for all. The Building ZO Plan is just one of the policies that form part of our comprehensive housing strategy. Our aim is for all citizens, of all ages and social backgrounds, to have access to affordable housing and to live in safe conditions. We are in the process of drafting the housing policy so that we will be able to announce more as soon as possible.
Thanks again to the management and staff of the Department of Planning and Housing for their prompt response to the preparation of this ambitious Plan, as well as to the Parliamentary Committees on Refugees and Home Affairs, ETAK, the Pancyprian Refugee Association, and the Union of Municipalities and Communities for their cooperation and willingness. We have a very important task ahead of us, with many challenges. I am sure that with everyone's cooperation we will overcome the difficulties and offer a holistic and permanent solution to a decades-old problem.
(MKY)
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